This section is all about E-Liquid (also known as E-Juice or Juice)
Lets’s begin with composition. There are a few ingredients that E-Liquid is made of, and we will go into them in depth here.
The “Base” –
• PG stands for Propolyne Glycol and is a liquid substance that is half of the base of E-Liquid; it carries the throat hit and flavor. PG is a humectant which means it helps retain moisture. This means that is draws the moisture out of your lungs when inhaled. This means it is VERY important to up your water intake daily.
– It is worth noting that there are some people are allergic to PG. If ANY swelling or itching of the mouth and throat occur, ceace vaping immediately and consult a doctor. In the event of an allergy, try 100% VG liquid.
• VG stands for Vegetable Glycerin and is an odorless, colorless liquid that is used as the other important ingredient of E-Liquid. It produces more vapor and has a slightly sweet taste to it. There is MUCH less throat hit with BG than there is in PG.
– Note: There are E-Liquids out there that can be any combination of PG to VG ratio: some are 100% VG and vice versa.
• Flavorings can consist of many types, profiles, and compositions. Some are based on PG, some in VG. (A side note, if you have a PG allergy, be sure to ask the vendors about what base they have in their flavorings.)
• Nicotine is a main component of E-Liquid, but it’s also important to understand that it is also an optional ingredient in E-Liquid. Nicotine should be treated with respect and dignity. It is very important to know the nicotine content of your E-Liquid, and to make sure you have the right MG. Too high and you could get “Nic Sick” and that’s no fun. Too low, and your aren’t feeling anything and you crave that nasty cigarette again.
Nicotine Level Suggestions
• Less than a pack a day smokers should be around 12 mg’s of nicotine.
• Pack a day smokers should be around 18-24 mg’s of nicotine. Some start at 24mg but most start at 18mg.
• Two packs a day or more smokers should be around 24 mg’s of nicotine, any higher and you are at dangerous levels and should proceed with caution.
Flavor Profiles –
Flavor profiles for juice include a lot of factors and distinctions, and all juice flavoring is subjective to the individual. I will give you some examples here to better help yourself pick out the correct type of flavor that you are looking for.
- Fruity
- Floral/Earthy
- Spice (Such as Cardamom, Cinnamon, Nutmeg or Licorice)
- Tobacco/Woody
- Drinks (Such as teas and coffees)
- Desserts (I.E. Cheesecake, Custard, Cake, etc.)
- Sweets (This includes Butterscotch, Caramel, Chocolate and Maple, etc.)
- Confections (Pretty much anything candy-like. For instance, a Cany Banana flavor is MUCH different than a fresh Banana flavor.
Storage –
For storage of your juice, it’s pretty simple. The nicotine in the solution breaks down when exposed to the sun’s rays, and also oxygen. So to preserve your juice the best, squeeze the air out of the bottle, and store in a cool dry place. If you want long time storage it’s best to replace the oxygen with either Argon or Nitrogen, both are legitimate. You can store juice in the fridge, but not in the freezer.
Olfactory Fatigue and “Vape Tongue” –
Sometimes you hear about something referred to as “Vape Tongue.” This is an effect that has a few causes, and a few remedies. The two factors go into “Vape Tongue” and they are:
• Your Taste Buds – your taste buds get use to flavors over time and start to ignore certain tastes after a long time of tasting them.
• A familiar cause is affected by Olfactory Fatigue – this, in essenece, is when you olfactory receptors (your “smeller”) smell something for too long and it starts to ignore the smells. Since taste is SO connected to smell, this goes into effect and you get used to a flavor.
To prevent olfactory fatigue, switch flavors often (once or twice a day). This prevents your receptors from getting used to a smell/flavor.
Common cures include:
- Vaping an extreme menthol juice
- Using mouthwash
- Smelling fresh ground coffee beans
- Drinking Coffee
- Pickle Juice
Steeping –
Steeping is the simple concept of aging E-Liquid. As an E-Liquid ages, it changes in flavor. The changes over time are different for each individual and will have a different effect in different flavors. Some will dull, some will brighten, some only a single flavor will come out as stronger. All juices are different and some will be gross after steeping and some might be more amazing.
Warnings and Known Harmful Chemicals –
Diacetyl is a chemical additive that some flavorings have that produces a “butter-like” flavor. Jiffy Pop popcorn uses it in the bags to product their distinct buttery flavor. This chemical is proven safe to ingest, but not to inhale. When Jiffy Pop started using the chemical some of it was being vaporized into the air where they manufacture the popcorn. When a worker inhales the chemical over a extended period of time they get what is commonly called “popcorn lung”. Due to this reason, all E-Liquid makers SHOULD make sure that none of their juice has this chemical in any of their flavors, although some companies refurse to release such information. Diacetyl is MOST common in juice like Cheesecake, Custard, and almost anything “creamy” in origin. Any reputable juice manufacturer should be willing to provide information on whether or not any of their flavors contain Diacetyl.